Moses & The Burning Bush

1st Angle

2nd Angle

What you need:

• Option 1: Foam tree or large sponge you can cut into a tree shape
• Option 2: Dollar bill
• 50% alcohol in a small Tupperware container. NOTE: the 50% alcohol is very important.  If you use higher concentrations of alcohol such as 70% you will need to add water or the sponges will burn.  Play with the mixture ahead of time to see what works best.
• Lighter

Lesson:

Note: you can purchase the foam tree or something similar at the dollar store or a school supply store. If you cannot find either one a dollar bill works perfectly as a substitute but isn’t quite as fitting for the lesson.

Dip the foam tree / dollar bill into the 50% alcohol and make sure it has been completely covered.

Set the tree on a fire-resistant surface making sure that there is nothing flammable directly overhead.

As our story begins, Moses is out in the field taking care of the sheep and goats of his father-in-law, Jethro. He led the sheep out into the wilderness. Suddenly, he looked and saw something odd!  Beside the road was a bush that was on fire!

Light the Bush

The most amazing thing was that the bush was on fire, but it wasn’t burned up!  “That’s strange,” Moses thought. “Why isn’t the bush burning up? I’ll go closer and see.”  As he came closer, God called out to him, “Moses! Moses!”

“Here I am,” Moses answered.

“Don’t come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, because you are standing on holy ground. I am the God of your father — the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”

“God continued to talk to Moses and though the fire burned and burned the Bush was not consumed.”

Let the fire burn out and show the kids that the Bush is not harmed. The heat may cause the sponge to “wilt” a little bit but it will not burn.

As always, whenever you use fire be very careful to not hurt yourself or others. Keep the children a safe distance away the entire time this is taking place.